Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern
I got the name of this quilt, To Hellenikon or Greekness, from Herodotus. The shared sense of identity among the ancient Greeks as described by him is perhaps the reason behind the everlasting legacy of the Greek civilization. Its presence permeates almost everything I encounter from literature to science. I got the idea of making a Greek alphabet quilt a couple of years ago. Shortly after that I found myself designing these Greek letter quilt patterns like an addict and very soon I was finished. Then we purchased a house, moved 400 miles and experienced a few unsavory events. I had to shelve this quilt for a while, but earlier this year it was time to start working on it again.
Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern
I love to visit old, tranquil abbey ruins. The colours of this quilt were drawn from the colours of Monks’ habits. The khaki and brown seemed like perfect symbols for something old and hard-wearing. I used the same set of fabrics for the letters, the shashing and the borders. Only the binding is done with a different brown fabric.
As for the layout, I finally decided to mimic a page from an exercise book used by someone who is learning how to write . That in turn dictated the horizontal quilting with cream coloured thread. I tried a different design on the border but it looked too busy compared to the simple design of the rest of the quilt. At the end I framed the “page” by quilting rectangles around the border with variegated thread. I love quilting with variegated threads. Now my idea of this quilt is finally a reality and ready for us to use!
Since many have asked, I have the set available in my shop. Thank you so much!!
I have a few more index card drawings to share this week –
Ice Cream On A Hot Summer’s Day
I express myself best in writing. Pen and ink took the centre stage on this one, alongside my favourite poem by Shel Silverstein.
An Exploding Clock with its pieces floating away into nothingness
Even though wind has hijacked many of my umbrellas, I love a blustery autumn day.
My version of Mad Men – unplugged and mad with ideas!
I love to drive during pre-dawn hours. A sense of independence engulfs me.
Self-portrait – walking into the unknown most of the time
I played with different ideas on these but “movement” seems to have found its way into almost all of them. Thank you for following me on the journeys of The Greekness quilt and the index card drawing projects. Your encouraging words have been very motivating.
Happy Crafting,
-Soma
24 thoughts on “To Hellenikon And Drawing Cards”
Carla August 27, 2015 at 06:02
Oh wow. That quilt is stunning. I do love words and text on quilts–and fabric. Well done you!
susie August 21, 2015 at 11:13
What a quilt! I love seeing a quilt made from passion and creativity, and that is what your beautiful Hellinikon quilt is!
The quilting is perfect, and your original paper pieced patterns are amazing!
Love your index card art! The “Self Portrait” card is my favorite for this week.
Was wondering… what do you think your cats would draw?
Susie
Marly August 21, 2015 at 06:31
Your cards are beautiful, as ever. The Greek alphabet quilt is amazing. Not only are the letters themselves beautifully formed, the fabrics used, the background spacing and the borders give the irregular shapes a perfect balance. Wonderful!
Teje August 20, 2015 at 04:01
Hi! This quilt became fantastic! For me the funniest part of learning greek language, was to lear the letters! Now after 23 years in Greece I speak, read and write Greek, but still it’s difficult – espeacially those different i letters! I hope to make these letters one day. x Teje
Carolynn August 19, 2015 at 10:10
Beautiful quilt! I also love your drawings. The shel Silverstein one made me smile. My daughter is obsessed with his poetry right now. We read one of his poems every night.
Jeneta@PlumJam August 17, 2015 at 05:09
Soma – you are brilliant!! I love your Greek alphabet quilt (how many hours did it take to make all those blocks?!!). And your index card drawings are like exciting surprises. I absolutely loved scrolling down to see what the next card would be. They are all so different and wonderful.
Janine August 15, 2015 at 02:06
Your Greekness quilt is amazing – perfect in every detail and I enjoyed learning of the inspiration behind it. Your drawings are great to. I love the poem, I hadn’t heard of it before :)
M-R @ Quilt Matters August 14, 2015 at 14:50
Very cool, Soma! I love the thought you put into the quilting — complements the design so beautifully!
Stacey August 14, 2015 at 11:06
This is so beautiful – I love the concept and your finish quilt is amazing.
Ruth August 14, 2015 at 08:04
Beautiful finish to your quilt! I’m still loving your artists cards – that poem is brilliant!
Dixie August 14, 2015 at 07:12
Your quilt is beautiful, Soma!
I love the cards… Most especially, time gone awry, bluster, and your self portrait, pre-dawn, and what a great quote. Perhaps today is my day to buy a few “magic beans.” :^)
Enjoy…
jayne August 14, 2015 at 06:18
What an amazing quilt! Bold and stong! I think you nailed the quilting, just enough from top to bottom! I love how different this is, a standout!!
Kaja August 14, 2015 at 05:40
Congratulations on completing Hellenikon; it is really unusual and a strong, graphic quilt. I like the way you have thought it through and the quilting decisions it led you too, and I like the feel it gains from the simple colour scheme too.
Erin August 14, 2015 at 05:14
Wow, your quilt is really awesome! Very cool!
Kim August 13, 2015 at 21:47
Wow, your Greek letters quilt came together so beautifully, Soma! The stark simplicity of the letters against the background make them stand out, and I love that you chose to use softer brown and khaki rather than black and white. Such a unique piece, enjoy snuggling under it!
Red Needle Quilts August 13, 2015 at 19:48
Gorgeous quilt! Such a great idea. Love your cards too, especially the road/mountain one.
Susan August 13, 2015 at 18:38
I am so glad to see the finished quilt. I really like the “simple quilting” letting the letters take center stage. I can identify with your self portrait card too :-)
rosa August 13, 2015 at 13:52
Just stunning-Great job!!
Mary August 13, 2015 at 12:56
That looks incredible. I have been wondering how you were going to quilt it and I kept wondering if you would use a Greek key design. I love what you did on it and it suits the design perfectly.
Love your new cards too. The self portrait one is great and I can so relate to that lonely morning road. It is such a great time to travel. That looks like a few roads we have been on.
silvana August 13, 2015 at 12:46
This quilt is just breathtaken, Soma!!!!!!! You outdid yourself!!!!!! Really magnificent!!!
Kathleen August 13, 2015 at 11:32
Your quilt is awesome Soma! And the Mad Men card made me smile :)
Lara B. August 13, 2015 at 10:23
So much of the art in your cards is something that I identify with Soma, only you are much better at expressing it in image and words than i am. One example is that you have captured perfectly what it feels like to drive in the predawn hours. Only my mind would make a foggy and empty mountain road. Also, I adore Shel Silverstein and that poem of his says it all.
Hellinikon is so wonderful! Your choices in fabric and layout and quilting could not have been more perfect for conveying something old and hard wearing. You created an awe inspiring quilt here!
Cheryl August 13, 2015 at 09:32
I love this! It is perfect in its simplicity. The black border compliments but does not overpower the Greek characters, wonderful!
krislovesfabric August 13, 2015 at 09:05
Oh Soma, this is magnificent!! You’ve made a great beauty here! The quilting is perfect and I especially like the edge framing border work. You make me wonder how a blackboard with mathematical equations covering it would look but I think I prefer your dark on light color scheme. This makes a large quilt, it looks as tall as your quilt holder :) My fave WtSE poem is My Beard from my well worn copy received when I was 9…it’s shelved in Evan’s room- I think he thinks I’ve given it to him, hehehe.